Pathways to practice medicine in Canada

How to get a residency in Canada? How to practice medicine in Canada? what to do after passing all required Canadian exams? what are the pathways to practice medicine in Canada? these are some questions every IMG has on his mind considering the country they want residency in or want to practice medicine in. This article will answer these questions in Canada’s language.

Before we start, know that if you want to know information about any specific statement, see if it is highlighted and click it. It will link you to a separate article for the specific word

Some Harsh Facts

Basically, it is very difficult for IMGs to get a permanent or even temporary residency in Canada. This is because there are relatively very fewer spots for IMGs to fill in.

Pathways to Practice Medicine in Canada

Medical school in Canada

The best way at first would be if you could get your medical degree from a Canadian medical school, that’s your best option but considering that they are highly costly and require much higher competition as you have to pass the MCAT with high scores and there are only around 20 medical schools in Canada. If you seriously want to consider this option then there is another option, you can apply for a clinical clerkship in a medical school for 2 years, upon passing which you will be a Canadian medical graduate. The programs are listed below

After Post-graduation

come to Canada after post graduation or after training some time (usually 2 years) as a general practitioner. This increases your chances of practising medicine in Canada and you may be eligible for the three exams that form your core CV.

TDM is only for those IMGs interested in family medicine. The TDM exam standardizes the selection process into the PRA. All info regarding TDM can be found by clicking it. TDM is solely for those who want to practice family medicine. The following steps must take place after your TDM exams to get a membership with the College of Physicians and surgeons of Alberta (Canada)

The Royal College exams are for all other specialties (not including family medicine). This Pathway is called the Practice Eligibility Route to certification for specialists (PER).

You first have to go through the (PRA) exams and then take your Royal College exams. Specialists that don’t get to work in their respective areas may occasionally be allowed to practice as primary care physicians after they pass the PRA and Royal College exams. Depending on the province where you receive your post-graduate training you may get a permanent or temporary license.

IMGs (International medical graduates)

This is the most difficult and stressful of options for an IMG. If you are not a Canadian medical school graduate or do not have 24 months post-graduate training or have not worked as a general practitioner and are a fresh candidate wanting to get to Canada (Passing just your MBBS or equivalent undergraduate degree), This is your only way, and believe me it is a hard way to take. Do not demotivate yourself you can still do it. This Pathway is the famous Medical Council of Canada exams pathway. it includes the following three tests:

MCCEE (Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination): Before 2018 this was to be taken necessarily before all the other exams but now it can be taken in any order but is still a necessity. They are phasing this MCCEE examination out after 2018 because the MCCQE exam will be available worldwide and IMGs will not have to take the MCCEE exam after that.

Now, If your residency application gets accepted by a program, You are called upon for an interview, The more programs you apply for the higher the chances of getting an interview and success. After the interview, you are asked to rank all you interviewed programs in order of preference. Then they match your preferences to your programs and the one that matched to your program, you get it. After getting matched the program may assess you for usually 4-6 weeks and if you pass that your residency is confirmed.

Clinical Assistant Pathway

There is another way you can work in Canada is by applying for a clinical assistant. This way you will always be under supervision but will be well enumerated and respected. If you wish to work independently then this option is not for you, but if you have tried everything and are still desperate to get to Canada then this is definitely for you.

To summarize the article look at the diagram below, This would recall you whatever you just read

Hamad Haider Tareen is a final year Medical student at Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences. Alongside Medicine, Photography, and Travelling, He is a chocolate lover who loathes vegetables but not vegans.

32 COMMENTS

That is the toughest question one can ask anyone but in my opinion, Australia is easier to get residency. If you can do your undergraduate course at a Canadian medical school then Canada is much easier but else than that I would prefer Australia.

Asalam o alekum. I’m Dr Shazia azim I have done my mbbs from Pakistan .I have done DCH .and MCPS 2 YEARS , training I have 13 years research experience so can I apply for Canada? If I am eligible then plz send me completely information plz

Walaikum as salaam Dr Shazia. I’m happy to tell you that yes you can apply for Canadian residency and you have a very clear chance of getting it too. But the process will take you long and you will most probably start from a lower post. there is no complete information you have to contact the Canadian residency program at http://www.carms.ca they will guide you through the process. Wishing you best of luck

Hello, Dr Kiran. Yes, they are phasing out MCCEE for international medical graduates because they plan to make MCCCQE part 1 exam conduction internationally. Currently, the MCCEE is only for IMGs and not Canadian residents but after 2018 MCCEE will be phased out worldwide. Secondly, MCCQE part 1 is an essential exam for every IMG else than NAC-OSCE to pass before they can apply for residency through the Standard Pathway mentioned, So NAC-OSCE and MCCQE part 1 are necessary. Thankyou

Hello,
I’m Dr. Masood, completed MD (6 years basic medical graduation from Ukraine), MPH (non clinical master in public health from Finland) and having 9 years of clinical working experience as as general physician in India and Oman. Currently working in Oman. Which pathway would be suitable for me? Kindly reply me. Thanks

Hello again,
Thanks for information and suggestions. It’s Dr Masood again. But I’m not specialist, I’m looking for residency in Canada. As I said that I’m general physician (not specialist). Still I need to follow the same pathway as you suggested in your last message?

Sorry for having mistaken your qualification, Dr Masood. You will have to take the standard MCC exam pathway. The only advantage you have is you already have some experience so that might match you for a residency program but the path still remains tough for you.

Hello Hamad, thanks for helping out for IMG.
My name is Dr Gabriel, I did MBBS in Nigeria and also had an MPH in England. I am a resident Doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a 6 years active clinical practice. What is the best route for me?

Hello…
I m dr.punam
and hv done MBBS and DGO from bangladesh with 6yrs clinical experiences.
I m here in Montreal as New IMG.
should I go through all MCCE steps or any other option?
Another ques is USMLE or MCCE which will be easier for me?

Hi Dr. Punam. No, you can take the royal college exams and the PRA pathway too. Click on them to know more about them. About the test between USMLE or MCCQE. MCCQE is the easier test but the chances of getting a residency in Canada are low compared to the USA. Read this Article and you will know morehttps://www.allthingsmedicine.com/residency-in-usa-australia-and-canada/

Hi
I’m Dr Adeyeye. Had my MBBS in Nigeria with 8yrs clinical experience. I intend to do residency in Canada. However, Obs/Gynae is my preferred area of specialisation. I want to know how possible to get O & G residency & what to do (as I don’t feel fulfilled practising any other specialty.
Also, I want to know if there’s any concession for those that have passed the PLAB exam

Hello Dr, Adeyeye. You will have to Pass the MCC exams and then get yourself a residency which is quite a difficult task in Canada. You can read this article on chances to get a residency in Australia, Canada and the USA.https://www.allthingsmedicine.com/residency-in-usa-australia-and-canada/
About Plab, it does not help in any way for a residency in Canada. For O&G residency, you have to go through the MCC exams or the Royal college and PRA pathway. Thankyou

Hello Hamad i want to know about 24 months training. What they expect in it. I have 12 months internship training( 2 months in internal medicine, 3 months in preventive and social medicine, 2 months in surgery and rest in other specialities).and 12 months house job in obs and gynae. 6 months house job in anaesthesia. I have done post graduation in ENT surgery from india and have 8 year of exp after that. Pls let me know which path i should go.

Hi brother
I am Family Physician working in KSA
I have MCPS and MRCGP INT degrees and four year structured family medicine training from Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi Pakistan
How should I start my licencing process brother

asalamualaikm.
iam doing my internship now…. i just need to move to canada for my postgraduation.. will i get any scholarship for that.. or what are the needs for that. so can you please guide .. thankyou.

I am afraid you can not do that sir. The chances of getting to practice medicine in Canada are good only if you have graduated from a Canadian medical College. Otherwise there are extremely sleek chances.

Hello Sir! I am a general surgeon from Ukraine with 14 years experience. I going to move Canada with my wife next year , she has PR in Canada. Can you advice me the medical pathway in my situation? I am ready even to be a family physician in Canada. Thank you very much in advance!!!

I am Iraqi Physician(GP and Ocuupational health practice) with experience of 14 years, I want to migrate to Canada under skilled workers prog. I need your advice regarding which pathway I need to follow?

Allthingsmedicine extends prime content regarding USMLE, PLAB, MRCP, AMC, MCCQE and other medicine and surgery related opportunities and information for medical students around the world, also the same being our sole aim.